The Power of Great Portraits is in Your Hands

The Perfect Lens for Portraiture

Just as a painter instinctively reaches for the right brush, a portrait artist reaches for an 85mm lens. The focal length is ideal for producing a pleasing image with true-to-life facial features in accurate proportion. While a wide-angle lens makes close objects appear larger than they are, and longer telephotos compress and flatten features, the 85mm medium telephoto is just right. Plus the working distance between you and your subject is perfect for making the personal connection that’s often missing when using a zoom.

The Tamron SP 85mm F/1.8 is the world’s first* 85mm fast-aperture lens with image stabilization. Its unique design allows us to include our VC (Vibration Compensation) system—without the lens becoming too large or heavy. What’s more, our SP 85mm F/1.8 delivers edge-to-edge viewfinder brightness for ease of composition and superior low-light performance. The fast aperture of the F/1.8 also offers the perfect balance of subject sharpness and bokeh, that dreamy blur which separates your portrait subject from the background.

Features and Functions

Hold Steady with Vibration Compensation

The SP 85mm F/1.8 is the world’s first* lens with a fixed focal length of 85mm and a fast aperture of F/1.8 that’s equipped with the VC system. Camera movement—often too minute to be perceptible to the photographer—is the leading cause of unpleasant photographs. In addition, newer DSLR cameras with higher pixel densities are more susceptible to subtle camera shake.

This technology makes it possible to take photographs handheld in dim light and to make optimal use of slower shutter speeds and increased depth-of-field without extreme increase of the camera’s sensor sensitivity (ISO equivalent). This is especially important in portraiture because lighting is often low and the photographer needs the spontaneity of not using a tripod or disruptive flash units.

Sharper Images. Better Bokeh .

To meet and surpass the needs of modern cameras with high resolution and high pixel densities, the SP 85mm F/1.8 employs LD and XLD low dispersion glass elements to correct critical aberrations. Superb optical design makes color fringing inconspicuous, achieving sharp and clear image quality and enabling outstanding performance at any illumination level. eBAND and BBAR coatings work in concert with wide-ranging anti-reflection techniques to increase light transmission, reduce flare and ghosting, and to prevent reflections inside the lens barrel.

The SP 85mm F/1.8 is designed to provide tack-sharpness of the subject for stunning clarity and flawless image quality. At the same time, Tamron’s design philosophy embraces the notion that photographers—particularly portrait photographers—use background blur, bokeh , as a creative element to concentrate emphasis on the subject. Through numerous simulations conducted for wide-ranging blur effects, such as a gentle, melting transition from the focused to the out-of-focus areas, Tamron has created a soft and natural blur effect that achieves perfect harmony with the inescapable sharpness.

Focal length: 85mm Exposure: F/3.2 1/50sec

Resists Moisture, Repels Smudges

Moisture-Resistant Construction, including special seals at areas of possible ingress, provides added protection. A highly durable Fluorine Coating, applied to the surface of the top element, prevents condensation and repels smudges, grime and fingerprints.

Expand Your Options with TAP-in Console

The future is here. Now you can update firmware, customize autofocus positions and adjust the mechanical setup and preferences of the SP 85mm F/1.8 by simply attaching it to the TAMRON TAP-in Console and connecting it via USB to a personal computer.

SP 85mm F/1.8 Di VC USD

Additional product features

VC (Vibration Compensation)

The VC Image Stabilizer delivers sharp and shake-free images, as well as a smooth viewfinder image.

XLD (Extra Low Dispersion) Glass

A special glass with an extremely low colour dispersion index for the greatest level of sharpness and compensation of chromatic aberration.

LD (Low Dispersion)

Lens element for greater image sharpness and the correction of chromatic aberration.

eBAND Coating

Nano-structured lens coating to protect against unwanted reflection and ghosting.

Test reports and awards

EISA Award 2016

The Tamron SP 85mm F/1.8 Di VC USD sets new standards of performance for a short telephoto
portrait lens. It’s the first of its type equipped with optical image stabilization, allowing the
photographer to use shutter speeds up to 3.5 stops slower than usual. Optical performance is
enhanced by the use of Low Dispersion and Extra Low Dispersion glass elements to minimize chromatic aberrations, and the barrel is also sealed against dust and moisture. The optical design
strikes a perfect balance between sharpness at the point of focusing and producing a soft natural effect
at the background, making it a perfect lens for portrait artists.